Symptomatic urinary stone disease in pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Symptomatic urinary calculi are rare in pregnancy with an incidence of one per 1500 pregnant women. Calculi may cause ureteric obstruction that can be further complicated by sepsis. This may have a significant morbidity for mother and fetus.

Objective: To provide an update on the current investigations and management options for pregnant patients with symptomatic urinary calculi.

Discussion: We discuss the different imaging modalities available to investigate the renal tract in pregnant women and propose a management pathway. This topic is particularly pertinent to obstetricians in their roles as coordinators of prenatal care.